MBC removes Gloria Banda over Nyasa Times hurtful article

Head of outside broadcasting Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Gloria Banda,  has been removed from her position effective March 1 2016 for allegedly authoring malicious documents published by Nyasa Times against MBC management and the country’s leadership.

In the document, MBC director general Aubrey Sumbuleta is accused of messing up the taxpayer-funded MBC and harassing female employees, among others.

Banda’s partner Albert Mungomo also faced a demotion at MBC after board of directors meeting on November 16 2015 confirmed appointment of journalist Mzati Nkolokosa as acting director of programmes replacing Mungomo.

Mungomo rushed to court to seek relief.

Banda said she denied authoring the document which appeared on Nyasa Times.

She said in her written defence that the charges are “baseless, malicious and a shameless plot” aimed at tarnishing her image, personality and to jeopardise her work and position at MBC.

In a letter dated February 29 2016, MBC acting director of administration and corporate affairs Patrick Simango advised Banda: “Exigencies of service require that you should cease performing your duties as Head of Outside Broadcasting with effect from 1st March 2016. This means that you will no longer be responsible for matters pertaining to outside broadcasting in the Programmes Department.”

Simango wrote Banda accusing her of writing “malicious documents” against Sumbuleta, the leadership of the country and other fellow members of staff.